350z's On the track
 

Why is it almost every photo I see of a 350z at the track, has a stock exterior? It seems like you would see a lot of exterior modded Z's at the track, (a lip, wing, or something). It seems to me that there are a lot of hardcore enthusiasts that keep their Z looking stock. I am one of those guys... But, can someone please help me come up with an explanation?

I guess they're scared to damage their bodykits :confused:
I will be tracking mine soon :D

I think alot of people actually take their kits off and have another "beater" kit or stock pieces that they use for the track only

it's true, and it seems funny that those with fast-looking Z's with wings and lips growing out of every directions are often the ones who don't track their car at all.

I guess from a performance perspective, upgrading mechanical items -- brakes, suspension, clutch, engine mods, etc. -- would yield better gain on the track than a wing or lip could do. So that's prob why you don't see hard-core performance enthusiasts with giant wings and such

my car is totally stock from the wheels to the body...

keeps the cops unaware of the "street illegal" beast within...just check sig :D

Because its easy to get chips and paint imperfections on the track..I track my Z and i don't see a point with a bodykit. Guess people invest a good amount of $$$ on paint and such and don't wanna take it to a track. Oh well to each his own, i don't like car shows..id rather drive cars than look at them.

If they are racing in a series , such as when RJN Motorsports does in Europe when they are racing in the FIA GT-4 Cup Series they have to keep the Zed fairly stock as opposed to when they compete in the VLN Endurance series where they take the same Zed and make extensive modifications aerodynamically as well as structurally .

I track my Z along with many other Zs and most are stock in looks. However, alot of our time and money goes into other mods that you don't see.

Also, SCCA rules don't allow for any downforce or aero benefits for certain class.

Body kits are for SHOW. The track is all about GO.

I, for one, refuse to put body kits or wings on any car I own that doesn't come with them stock. I might go with a front lip or a Nismo wing, at the very most. All of my modifications will be done to the brakes, suspension, interior and drive train.

PS: I plan to get into tracking this coming dry season. :D

As Bamyi said, most US racing series (SCCA, NASA, Grand-Am, etc) allow only limited exterior mods. For example, we're currently prepping a T2 spec Z for SCCA National competition and had to TAKE OFF the rear wing, sideskirts and NISMO bumper to be legal in that class. Most sanctioning bodies want to contain costs and have us run cars that resemble what came off the showroom floor.

Even my SCCA GT3 350Z (with full fiberglass body, tubeframe construction, full-race SR20VE, etc) is allowed only a limited aero package (6" spoiler, small front splitter). That's not the case in Japan, where the 350Z Super GT500 cars run wild bodywork (but are being replaced this year by new GT-R bodywork) and HUGE spoilers.

Weight = nono when some of the kits are useless. When you race, your into performance over looks.

+1. Most of the Z's that have the hardcore body kits are the one's that don't track their cars. Kind of like ricers.

I don't like body kits. :)

I think your dead on... It just surprises me how much money people put into their cars, especially BBK's, and dont take their car to the track. It's like, why buy a 4k BBK and not use it to it's fullest. Ohh well, guess it's not my business.

+1

I asked on the forums once about the downforce specs for the Nismo wing compared to stock. No one knew.. people were like "downforce?"

Why is it almost every photo I see of a 350z at the track, does not have stock exterior?:)

Cause most of those guys are waxers, and they would rather pose next to there car in a parking lot.

Yup, I have to take mind out and put on the stock piece. It say in a book that if you have the exterior modification for downforce, etc, your car would be put into the modified class instead of stock class.

:poke:

keeping it stock looking allows for you to make it fast... not look fast......